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Seyfarth Synopsis: California will soon have a new law requiring WCAG 2.0 AA compliance for state agencies’ websites by 2019.

On October 14, 2017 California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law AB 434, which will create a new Government Code section 11546.7 and require, beginning July 1, 2019, state agencies and state entities to post on their website home pages a certification that the website complies with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA, or a subsequent version, and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

State agencies have been required, since January 1, 2017 by virtue of 2016 legislation, to comply with Section 508 in developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic or information technology “to improve accessibility of existing technology, and therefore increase the successful employment of individuals with disabilities, particularly blind and visually impaired and deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.” That statute, Government Code 7405, also requires entities that contract with state or local entities for the provision of electronic or information technology or related services to respond to and resolve any complaints regarding accessibility that are brought to the entity’s attention.

The new Government Code section 11546.7 will also require the State’s Director of Technology to create a standard form for each state agency or entity’s chief information officer to use in determining whether its respective website complies with the accessibility standards.

With this legislation, California joins state and municipal entities in other parts of the country that have similar web accessibility requirements for governmental entities and contractors. This legislation fills a small part of a void the federal Department of Justice has decided for the time being not to fill, when it put its pending regulations that would set an accessibility standard for state and local (as well as private entity) websites on the inactive list.

Richard Davison riding BUBBLINGH during the CDI 3* Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle during the Bolesworth International Horse Show near Chester in Cheshire in the UK on 14th May 2017

Olympians Richard Davison and Emile Faurie will spearhead the British attack at this year’s Olympia CDIW4* (12-13 December).

However notable absentees from this year’s line-up are crowd-favourites Carl Hester, freestyle winner in 2015 and 2016 with Nip Tuck, and Charlotte Dujardin, who won with Valegro in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Richard will partner Bubblingh, the 11-year-old Lingh gelding with whom he won the grand prix freestyle at this year’s Hickstead CDI in July. There they posted 74.18%.

Emile will bring forward Elena Knyaginicheva’s 13-year-old breeding stallion Delatio (De Niro x Rubinstein) — a horse he has had the ride on for just four months. The striking black stallion dominated at Vale View’s high profile show in October, claiming the grand prix with over 74%.

He will be joined by Gareth Hughes riding his European Championship team-selected horse Don Carissimo, who sadly had to be withdrawn due to injury after arrival in Gothenburg this summer. This will be the Don Crusador 12-year-old’s first international competition since, but he had already made huge waves in what is his first season of grand prix, with a freestyle personal best of 76.67%.

Gareth Hughes riding DON CARISSIMO during the CDI 3* Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle during the Bolesworth International Horse Show near Chester in Cheshire in the UK on 14th May 2017

World Equestrian Games (WEG) hopefuls Hayley Watson-Greaves and Lara Butler make up the British contingent. Hayley will ride her own 13-year-old Rubin Royal son Rubins Nite, with whom she was crowned British Dressage national champion earlier this year. The pair have already achieved several top 10 placings on the World Cup circuit this autumn.

Lara returns to the Olympia arena with the Becktolsheimers’ 15-year-old Rubin Al Asad, also by Rubin Royal. The pair were named reserves for both the Rio Olympics and the 2017 European Championship team, and recently finished second at Oldenburg CDI4* with a grand prix personal best of plus 74%.

Ireland’s Judy Reynolds will return to the international arena with her popular Jazz gelding Vancouver K – another who was withdrawn from the Europeans due to injury — while British-based Dane Anders Dahl will pilot his consistent performer, the 13-year-old Selten HW.

We’ve rounded up some interesting — and entertaining — facts about the Christmas extravaganza

Among the international field, from which eight nations will be represented, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel will partner his Gothenburg ride Delaunay OLD, who has posted freestyle scores in the 80s this year. Holland’s Edward Gal will bring forward his talented nine-year-old stallion Glock’s Zonik.

The grand prix will take place on Tuesday 12 December at 7.30pm, with the freestyle on Wednesday 13 December at 7.20pm.

The full list of competitors is as follows:

Quartz of Jazz Marie Emilie Bretenoux (France)

Star Wars Bertrand Liegard (France)

Alcazar Katherine Bateson Chadler (US)

Bubblingh Richard Davison (Great Britain)

Don Carissimo Gareth Hughes (Great Britain)

Delatio Emile Faurie (Great Britain)

Rubins Nite Hayley Watson-Greaves (Great Britain)

Rubin Al Asad Lara Butler (Great Britain)

Vancouver K Judy Reynolds (Ireland)

Selten HW Anders Dahl (Denmark)

Glock’s Zonik Edward Gal (the Netherlands)

Thriller Katja Gevers (the Netherlands)

Michigan Ulrik Moelgaard (Denmark)

Cennin Madeleine Witte-Vrees (the Netherlands)

Delaunay Old Patrik Kittel (Sweden)

Roberto Des Frettes Charlotte Haid Bondergaard (Sweden)

Sir Donnerhall II Old Morgan Barbancon Mestre (Spain)

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Jason Webb of Australian Horse Training is a renowned UK-based horse trainer with a passion for starting young horses, solving equine problems and teaching riders of all abilities and ambitions develop and strengthen the partnership they have with their horses. Here Jason gives one H&H forum user advice on clipping a horse that hates the process

Clipping

Q: My horse hates being clipped: “I have left clipping as long as possible but with two native types that both get sweaty walking around the block and a hunter trial coming up, it has to be done. My Welsh is the problem. I’ve had him since he was a youngster — he’s lived a lovely life and he was bought him up with the clippers nicely — they were never was a problem. I used to clip just his belly loose in the stable as a three-year-old to get him used to it. I gave him a few treats, he liked it, then I progressed to a bigger clip the more work he was in.

The older he’s got, the worse he’s become with clipping. He’s now rising six and as soon as I turn the clippers on, he runs back like a wild animal and hus eyes pop out his head. He won’t ever kick or rear but he won’t stand still. They are the same clippers I’ve always used and no other horse has a problem but he’s a down and out drama queen (he’s the same with every aspect of life)

I really don’t want to pay for him to be sedated — do you have any ideas on how I can fix this? I’m a nicey, nicey type offering, treats and praise but I’m wondering if this isn’t the way to go with him.

I’d leave him unclipped, but we have two fun rides coming up and he’ll get far to hot in his winter woollies!”

A: This horse sounds like a natural worrier, this means it might only take the clippers to pinch once or for someone to approach him differently or a little quickly to make him start to become suspicious again. You will have to go back to the start with this horse. This means ensuring your ground work is solid and that they are happy with the desensitising process before you even attempt to bring the clippers near him but it will be time well spent!

Before introducing the clippers, your basic groundwork must be good enough to enable you to place your horse where you want them to stand. This is key as a horse running all over you and who does not respect your space or have confidence in you will not cope well when you start desensitising work with them. You need to be able to back them up, lead them forward, and move their shoulders, ribs and hindquarters to each side independently of each other. There are some simple exercises you can do to install this basic groundwork and this will help you managing your horse in everyday situations and are worth putting some time into. See the foundation section of Your Horsemanship to view the lessons and I recommend a rope halter and 12ft lead rope for this type of work. Once your groundwork is good enough you will be able to keep repositioning your horse easily and with minimum fuss.

The second process to go through with your horse is desensitising them to the clippers and the noise. I tend to start with other objects such as plastic bags and a bottle with some rocks in it with the aim of being able to move it all over their body. The head, ears and legs are the most sensitive areas of a horse so make sure they are confident with contact on their body before progressing to these parts. Should you find a sensitive area, stop progressing and try to stay where you are until your horse stops moving and relaxes. This rewards your horse for stopping and standing.

Continued below…

When you have been through the desensitisation process with a range of objects you can try an electric toothbrush or similar device that makes a noise like clippers but on a smaller scale, see the clipper app online if you don’t want to use your partners toothbrush!. You can then move on to the clippers themselves but start with them turned off then move on to them turned on but with your hand between them and your horse. Work progressively until your horse is able to stand relaxed with the clippers making contact with their body.

For more information on Jason Webb and his online training base Your Horsemanship, where you can learn a foundation in horse training with online lessons in groundwork, starting, and ridden fundamentals, visit his website

Getting in the Christmas spirit: Ben and Boomerang in the jump-off for the 2015 Santa Stakes at The London International Horse Show, Olympia

Former Olympic champions Scott Brash and Ben Maher will be among those flying the home flag at Olympia Horse Show next month, it has been announced.

The pair will be joined by legends John and Michael Whitaker, Britain’s first lady of showjumping Laura Renwickand speed merchant Guy Williams at the London International Horse Show (14-18 December), along with US-based Brit Amanda Derbyshire on her Olympia debut.

This year’s show will also welcome some of Europe’s top riders, including reigning Olympia grand prix champion Daniel Deusser and his fellow German showjumpers Christian Ahlmann and Marcus Ehning.

Olympic team champions France will be represented by world number three Kevin Staut, as well as former world number one Simon Delestre, while Belgian hopes rest with current Aachen grand prix champion Gregory Wathelet and twin brothers Olivier and Nicola Philippaerts.

The 2017 European silver medallist and Longines Global Champions Tour champion Harrie Smolders represents the Dutch, along with world number five Maikel van de Vleuten, while world number four Lorenzo de Luca and speedy Emanuele Gaudiano will fly the Italian flag.

Sweden’s individual Olympic silver medallist Peder Fredricson and 2012 Olympic champion, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, will also be among those at the CSI5* competition, all hoping to secure Longines FEI World Cup points as they aim to qualify for next April’s final.

Riders are invited to sign up for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of taking part in a Flat race in front of thousands of people at York racecourse next June.

Successful applicants for the 1m1f Ride of their Lives, the finale of the Macmillan Cancer Support charity day on 16 June 2018, will have the chance to benefit from six months’ expert training as they prepare for the event.

The annual race day has raised £7.6m in total for Macmillan and other charities, including £500,000 last year.

Alexandra Schimmel of Macmillan said: “Each year, we’re astounded by the dedication of supporters who train for months for this race while also raising phenomenal amounts for Macmillan.

“Donations make a huge difference to people living with cancer, so we’re extremely grateful. It’s a tough challenge, but all the hard work is rewarded on the day itself. Racing at York in front of a huge crowd will be an unforgettable experience for them all.”

The 12 riders in the race must provide their own horses, and ensure they have attended a one-day training and assessment course at the British Racing School or the Northern Racing College.

Jockey coaches will be found for those who would like help with their preparation and fitness, organised between the rider and the Jockey Club.

Each rider must also pledge to raise at least £3,000 for Macmillan, although last year’s entrants raised more than £130,000 between them.